1emerald1 Posted August 7, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 7, 2017 So if you had to choose between the two, what would you pick? I have not done either but could only do one or the other on the next cruise. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brt49 Posted August 7, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Chefs table. 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted August 7, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Hard to pick they are so different. We have done both a few times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34TigerLily Posted August 8, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 8, 2017 We have done both. The Chef's Table was fun and the food was good except for the main course, Ultimate Balcony Dinner was the best meal we have ever had on any cruise. We are elite so we have been on aa fair number of Princess cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseyaxn Posted August 8, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 8, 2017 The ultimate balcony dinner is private and romantic.The food is great Sent from my SM-G928T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted August 8, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I've done both three times. I probably won't do another Chef's Table now that the price is raised. It would be good to get a discount if you didn't want another copy of the cookbook. The UBD is romantic. We've done it twice for anniversaries and once for DH's birthday. If you do it, I recommend booking it for early in the cruise. The flower arrangement lasts a long time. Twice we've passed it on to folks we met who were staying on for the next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host CJSKIDS Posted August 8, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I've done the balcony dinner a few times and the chef's table once. Personally I liked the balcony dinner which is why we have repeated it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybenny Posted August 8, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I've done the balcony dinner a few times and the chef's table once. Personally I liked the balcony dinner which is why we have repeated it. That's great to hear. We are doing a 20th anniversary cruise next year and we've never done the balcony dinner. I think we will do that on our next cruise. We have done Chef's table 4 times and it's been great, but it will be nice to try something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted August 8, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 8, 2017 We prefer the UBD. We like the privacy and the romantic atmosphere it provides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hansi Posted August 8, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Way too much food on the Chefs Table:( Haven't had the UBD as we always go inside:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare gotta cruise again Posted August 8, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 8, 2017 OP didn't give the ship name but if it's a Royal Class ship, I give high marks for the Winemakers Dinner!! Will do that again next time we sail on that class. Did love Chefs Table the one time we did it but that's when the price was much lower. Have yet to do UBD but it's on the bucket list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedprincess Posted August 8, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Way too much food on the Chefs Table:( Haven't had the UBD as we always go inside:D You can easily do the UBD in an inside cabin. Think of it as an UID - Ultimate Inside Dinner. They just set up and service inside vs on the balcony. Plenty of people have done so while plenty of others have had to do so in their balcony cabins as the weather is poor.. Give it a go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1emerald1 Posted August 8, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Thanks for all of your responses, I appreciate the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfuzzy Posted August 8, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 8, 2017 We have done the balcony dinner, as well as the breakfast, so now I bring some containers to keep the "leftovers" for later in the evening, when I have room to finish the meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host CJSKIDS Posted August 8, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 8, 2017 That's great to hear. We are doing a 20th anniversary cruise next year and we've never done the balcony dinner. I think we will do that on our next cruise. We have done Chef's table 4 times and it's been great, but it will be nice to try something new. Try to do it earlier in the week so you can enjoy the flowers throughout the cruise. Congrats on your upcoming 20th! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybenny Posted August 8, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Try to do it earlier in the week so you can enjoy the flowers throughout the cruise. Congrats on your upcoming 20th! Thanks for that recommendation!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybenny Posted August 8, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 8, 2017 You can easily do the UBD in an inside cabin. Think of it as an UID - Ultimate Inside Dinner. They just set up and service inside vs on the balcony. Plenty of people have done so while plenty of others have had to do so in their balcony cabins as the weather is poor.. Give it a go! That's great!! Never thought that was an option!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser113 Posted August 8, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Have done both and most enjoyable but completely different experience. Chef's table starts with tour of galley with bubbly and hors d'oeuvres , then a sit down coursed meal with wine parings for 10-12 people. Pictures with head chef and maître d and complete group. Roses for the ladies and a cook book. Lots of interaction with other guests. Evening usually last about 3 hours. Bring camera or cell phone many photo opportunities. If you choose this ...sign up early to get your name on the list. More expensive than UBD. "Enjoy an intimate, romantic dining experience with breathtaking views and a special meal served by your own dedicated waitstaff on your stateroom balcony. Ultimate Balcony Dining features a hosted cocktail party, fresh flowers, champagne and a deluxe four-course meal featuring delicate sweet lobster tail or juicy steak among many available delicacies." UBD is a very intimate coursed meal. Staff sets up room with table topper, table cloth and flowers. Courses are delivered and served and then staff vanishes ...until the next course. Photo staff comes and takes a picture. If you choose this one ...call early as they usually have 1-2 on the evening they serve this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XBGuy Posted August 8, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Another vote for the UBD. We've done the Chef's Table once and the UBD three times. I have to say I enjoyed the food at the Chef's Table a bit more, but the UBD is so special. Two servers dedicated to us. That is service. I agree with the idea of scheduling early in the cruise. Not only do the flowers last, but there is no way we can eat the petit fours. So, we nosh on them for the next few days, also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrknits Posted August 9, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 9, 2017 I think at some point you should try both. The Chef's table is an amazing experience, not to be missed, but once is probably enough for us. Very interesting, you learn a lot, eat and drink a lot and is a fantastic experience. You get a picture and cookbook. Definitely worth it, but like I said, I probably won't pay that much for it a second time. The Balcony dinner was also amazing, but a totally different experience, intimate and personal. And an amazing value, when you consider the crown grill and a bottle of wine, will run about $100. I will do the balcony dinner again for sure. So I would say pick one for this cruise and then the other for your next. Whichever you choose, enjoy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griller Posted August 9, 2017 #21 Share Posted August 9, 2017 We have done Chef's Table on many ships, Unfortunately for us its now almost always veal as a main course which we do not like. If you like veal then it would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XBGuy Posted August 9, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 9, 2017 I think at some point you should try both. The Chef's table is an amazing experience, not to be missed, but once is probably enough for us. Very interesting, you learn a lot, eat and drink a lot and is a fantastic experience. You get a picture and cookbook. Definitely worth it, but like I said, I probably won't pay that much for it a second time. The Balcony dinner was also amazing, but a totally different experience, intimate and personal. And an amazing value, when you consider the crown grill and a bottle of wine, will run about $100. I will do the balcony dinner again for sure. So I would say pick one for this cruise and then the other for your next. Whichever you choose, enjoy!! An excellent recommendation. Here's another idea. Do both on this cruise. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today--you may like and, so, you can do it, again, tomorrow. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1emerald1 Posted August 9, 2017 Author #23 Share Posted August 9, 2017 An excellent recommendation. Here's another idea. Do both on this cruise. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today--you may like and, so, you can do it, again, tomorrow. :) I like the way you think! Based on all of the comments it sounds like I should do both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now